Skype

Installing Skype Public Beta 2.0.0.27 on a Fedora7-based OLPC Laptop

There is always more than one way of doing anything. Here is a simple set of instructions to install Skype on your OLPC Laptop. Let me also point out that things are likely to change. With subsequent releases of OLPC software and newer versions of Skype, these instructions may no longer work as they do today (December, 2007).

Basically you need to do four things:

1. Check that your PC has the needed pre-requisites installed
2. Download the correct version of Skype package and uncompress it
3. Install Skype
4. Tweak the sound defaults of your PC

Check for prerequisites

Skype 2.0 Beta requires the following software to be installed:

• DBus 1.0 or better
• Libasound2 1.0 or better
• LibXScrnSaver 1.1.10 or better

(It also needs QT4 but we will be using the Static version of Skype which includes all QT4 prereqs)

To verify that you have what is needed, open up the terminal and type in:

rpm -qa | grep -i dbus  

The response should look something like this: “dbus-1-1.0.2-59.2”. If you just get a blank line, then you need to install Dbus.

rpm -qa | grep libasound2

The response should look something like this: “libasound2-1.0.14-31.2”. If you just get a blank line, then you need to install Libasound2.

rpm -qa | grep libXScrnSaver

The response should look something like this: “libXScrnSaver-1.1.10”. If you just get a blank line, then you need to install libXScrnSaver.

To install the missing prerequisites as needed, type:

su 
wget ftp://ftp.pbone.net/mirror/atrpms.net/e15-i386/atrpms/testing/libasound2-1.0.15-33.e15.i386.rpm
yum install libasound2-1.0.15-33.e15.i386.rpm libXScrnSaver dbus

After you found or installed the needed prerequisites, we can go and download Skype.

Get the Skype installation package

Start the terminal and do not change directories. By default you should be in your own home directory and all intermediate files should be located and are assumed to be there for the installation.

Then to download and uncompress the Skype installation file (Linux Static Version) type in:

wget http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-beta-static

tar xvf skype_static-2.0.0.27.tar.bz2  

At this point you should have a new directory called "skype_static-2.0.0.27" right on your Linux Desktop with all files uncompressed and good to go for installation.

Install Skype

Then to install Skype, type in the following commands in sequence:

cd skype_static-2.0.0.27

mkdir /usr/share/skype
su

cp -a * /usr/share/skype/ 

cd /usr/share/skype/ 

mv skype /usr/bin/ 
mv skype.conf /etc/dbus-1/system.d/  

At this point your Skype is installed and all the files and directories are in the correct places where Skype can find them.

To get out of Super User mode, close and re-start the terminal now.

Select sound devices to use

To configure the sound system, you need to start alsamixer from the terminal. Type in

alsamixer

To navigate around alsamixer:

• use the TAB key to switch between Playback, Capture and All panels;
• use the left and right arrow keys to move between the columns;
• use the up/down arrow keys and the 'm' key to select or set different values in each column.

In the Playback section you can turn all volume sliders to 100 to manage them directly from applications. The key settings for Skype are

• mic 75 or the largest number that does not squeal
• mic select mic1
• mic boost 00

In the Capture section you have to turn on Capture for Skype to work:

• press TAB key to switch to Capture panel
• use the right-arrow key to get to Capture column
• use up-arrow key to adjust capture to 100.

To save the changes you made, and to exit the alsamixer application, push the Esc key (upper left key X in a filled circle).

Test the sound in OLPC and Skype

An easy way to test that your sound settings are correct, type in terminal:

cd /usr/share/skype/sounds
aplay *

You should now hear all Skype sounds, one after another. If you only hear clicks or you hear no sound from loud speakers and/or headphones, then you still have a problem in the alsamixer settings. Go back to 4., check them again and remember to save the changes at end.

You can test the microphone settings by recording and playing back your own voice. In the terminal, type:

cd 
mkdir deleteme
cd deleteme
arecord -d 15 sound1

The left microphone light should come on. speak into the microphone (just above the left speaker). After 15 seconds, type

aplay sound1

You should hear your voice now. If not, then go back to alsamixer and tweak your recording and playback volumes.

When you are happy with your settings, remove the recording file and directory by typing:

rm sound1
cd .. 
rmdir deleteme

Running Skype the first time

You should now be in good shape to start Skype. To improve the call quality, you should always start Skype by first:

• press F3 button to go to Sugar interface home
• quit all other applications except Logging and Terminal
• in the terminal, type:

skype

It will take a lengthy 10-20 seconds to get started.

Once Skype is up for the first time:

• login using your Skype ID or create a new one.
• left-click on Options icon (Tiny blue Skype icon in the lower left corner and watch out for the Sugar frame popping out if you miss the icon).
• select Sound from the menu
• choose “CS5535 Audio (hw:Audio,0)” for each of the three pull downs (In, Out and Ringing).
• check the box “Allow Skype to automatically adjust my mixer levels”
• click on “Make a Test Sound”

You should now hear the sound out of the speakers. Adjust the volume from the keyboard using the volume up and down buttons (upper right corner 3rd and 4th buttons from the edge—you will recognize the icons). Make it nice and loud.

Here comes THE BIG TEST:

Click on “Make A Test Call”.

Skype will connect you to an automatic voice testing server and lead you through the test process.

At this point, everything should be working. You should have the right sound drivers, selected the right hardware and software options and tested the sound system. Congratulations!

All that is needed is for you to add your friends or find new friends to add to your Skype contact list and Skype away.